Digestive

What are the four components of digestion?

Ingestion, Digestion, Absorption, Egestion.

Fill in the Blank: The physical breaking down of food into smaller pieces is known as __________.

Mechanical digestion.

What role does saliva play in digestion?

Saliva contains enzymes that break down larger molecules and mucus that helps food stick together in a bolus.

Vocabulary: Define 'chyme' in the context of digestion.

Chyme is the semi-fluid mass of partially digested food that is expelled by the stomach into the small intestine.

Fill in the Blank: The __________ covers the opening of the trachea during swallowing.

Epiglottis.

What are the major functions of gastric juices?

Gastric juices aid in digestion by mixing with food to break it down, containing enzymes and acids.

Vocabulary: What is the function of the small intestine?

The small intestine is primarily responsible for the absorption of nutrients and the completion of chemical digestion.

What are the three parts of the small intestine?

Duodenum, jejunum, and ileum.

Fill in the Blank: The __________ produces bile, which is stored in the gallbladder.

Liver.

What is the role of insulin in the digestive system?

Insulin helps regulate blood glucose levels by facilitating the transport of glucose into liver cells.

What is the significance of the cardiac sphincter?

The cardiac sphincter controls the entry of food from the esophagus into the stomach.

What happens to glucose after it is absorbed in the small intestine?

Glucose crosses cell layers to capillaries and goes directly to the liver, where it may be stored as glycogen.

What are the risks associated with peptic ulcers?

Peptic ulcers occur when the mucus lining of the stomach breaks down, exposing stomach cells to hydrochloric acid and pepsin, potentially leading to tissue damage.

Vocabulary: Define 'peristalsis'.

Peristalsis is the rhythmic contraction of muscles that moves food through the digestive tract.

Fill in the Blank: The __________ is a common pathway for both food and air.

Pharynx.

What is the role of the pancreas in digestion?

The pancreas produces digestive enzymes and bicarbonate ions that are secreted into the duodenum.